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The most characteristic symptom of bud blight is that infected plants tend to stay green after uninfected plants have matured and turned in color. Other symptoms include a curving of the terminal in the shape of a crook and a proliferation of axillary leaves and buds. Stems and branches may show a brown discoloration of the pith starting at the nodes and extending into the internodal areas. A brown discoloration of petioles and larger leaf veins may be evident. Plants are usually stunted and have a bushy appearance, leaves are rugose and rolled and pods may be poorly developed or aborted. Although no efficient insect vector has yet been found, thrips are implicated in the spread of the virus. Pastures or uncultivated areas containing other hosts for the Tobacco Ringspot Virus may serve as inoculum sources for nearby soybean fields. The virus may also be seedborne. Planting disease-free seed and maintaining good weed control are the main management options for bud blight. |
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